“We are pleased to support a project that will improve access for residents south of Denver to jobs and other opportunities in the metropolitan area.”

It is reported that the first phase of the Southeast Rail Line opened as an alternative to busy Interstate 25, which runs from I-25 and Broadway through to the University of Denver south to the Douglas County line.

Of the $223.6m cost, $92m was provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in April towards construction, with the remaining amount expected to be covered by local funding sources.

The FTA funds will allow RTD to give notice to proceed with construction to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure (BBII), which was earlier selected as the contractor to build the extension project.